The two’s bravery in respecting pluralism in Jakarta is like an oasis in the middle of a drought. Their firm stance on retaining Susan Jasmine Zulkifli as the Lenteng Agung subdistrict head must be supported despite several protests from certain groups of people demanding Susan’s removal just because she is a Christian.
The stance of Jokowi and Ahok not to bow to protesters is very important, because this will give a valuable example of how leaders must defend the Constitution at any cost to our beloved country. “I would neither transfer nor demote any officials because of their religion. I judge them based on their ability whether they can complete the tasks I set them or not,” said Jokowi.
The protesters are obviously fanatics, rejecting a leader with a different religion without looking at the leader’s capabilities to do good work for people’s benefits. It seems they do not care too much about her performance as long as he/she has the same faith as theirs.
If such a demand is granted, it will jeopardize the pillars of our democracy. In the long term, it will kill our national motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity). We expect this kind of anti-democratic attitude to not be entertained by the government, no matter how large the group of protesters demonstrating.
We deplore Home Minister Gamawan Fauzi, who was supposed to back Jokowi, but unfortunately he suggested the governor consider replacing Susan because of increasing noise made by the protesters. Whether this is a new trend or not, we now know that in many cases, the government prefers to take a shortcut in resolving any issue, especially if protesters shout loud enough, threaten enough and show enough force. If the demand against Susan is against our Constitution, will it be granted, Mr. Minister? Is our country governed by demonstrators?
Ahok said leaders must educate protesters on the rules and regulations, while Setara Institute chairman Hendardi said Jokowi and Ahok’s decision to defend Susan was legal and constitutional.
So the case in Lenteng Agung is not just about Susan, also not only about Jokowi and Ahok. This case should get attention nationwide. Those who love democracy should not keep silent. If some leaders can be removed from their positions based on protests from residents and because these leaders happen to have a different religion, it will set a bad precedent. The problem will recur in other regions and our pluralistic nation will end in misery.
Jokowi and Ahok need our support to uphold the Constitution. They have the authority to govern Jakarta based on the principle of the truth. Defending Susan as subdistrict head in Lenteng Agung is the right thing to do.
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Serpong, 30 Sep 2013
Titus J.
